The Arrupe Office of Social Formation (formerly the Social Involvement Coordinating Office [SICO]), through its Service Learning Program (SLP) headed by Ms. Eufemia Faller, forges partnerships with the Computer Engineering Department of the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), the Finance Department of the School of Business and Governance (SBG) and the Theology Department of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) for service learning programs/projects. These partnerships are designed according to the needs of students pursuing their field of specialization.
In a more specific way, the SLP in the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), especially the one being adapted and implemented by the Arrupe, is influenced by the “See-Judge-Act” cycle of the Catholic Social Teachings (CST) [cf. Pacem in Terris], and even more specifically follows the dynamics of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) which considers the (a) context, then proceeds with the (b) experience, (c) reflection of the experience, then (d) action, with a constant process of (e) evaluation during the course of the experience. The main objective of Arrupe’s SLP (which it calls the “Pagtataya Program”) is to provide an avenue for students enrolled in the 3rd year–5th year to see the relevance of their academic learning to the call for social justice and the common good, and to find the connections with what they experienced in their designated areas of exposure/immersion to the pervading unjust structures in society, thereby awakening in them a sense of mission and a call to action.
For the first semester of School Year (SY) 2013, Arrupe’s SLP initiatives are designed to meet the specific needs of students enrolled in specific courses, in particular the last course in Theology (Theo 141, which carries with it a practicum component), Computer Engineering and Finance.
Commencing the 4th August 2013, eight (8) sections of Theo 141 were deployed in several areas in Baliok, Toril, for their three- to four-week practicum. Two (2) classes of Mr. Noriel Rogon, one (1) class of Mr. Bernard Buela, three (3) classes of Mr. Lunar Fayloga, and two (2) classes of M. Isabel S. Actub were deployed in the following areas, namely: GKK-Sto. Nino (Bagahai in Apo View Gulf in Baliok), GKK-Sto. Nino (Tisa in Baliok), GKK-Our Lady of Lourdes (Pepsi Village in Dumoy), GKK-Sto. Nino (back of Pepsi Cola in Dumoy), GKK-Virgen del Pilar (Farland Extension in Dumoy), GKK-San Isidro Labrador (Nalum in Baliok), GKK-Medalla Milagrosa (Upper IWHA in Dumoy) and GKK-Sto. Rosario. All of these GKKs are part of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Holy Family Parish in Baliok, for which ADDU-Arrupe signed a Memoradum of Agreement (MOA) with its parish priest, Fr. Ricky Penalosa.
To help the Theology faculty in the deployment of students in their respective areas of assignment, a group of ten (10) Arrupe Volunteers are being tapped to provide assistance, namely: Khalil Denise Alcomendras, Lyneth Egonio, Jhana Lynne Ligue, Alvin Sajulga, Jul Rashed Kasid, Jhezzel Penera, Patrick John Comoda, Jennilyn Nacorda, Khrist Ian Mastre and Jefford Mamacus.
Meanwhile, the implementation of Arrupe’s SLP partnership with the Computer Engineering (COE) Department started on 20th July 2013, deploying COE students in the Gawad Kalingas (GK) of Gravahan, San Nicolas, Punta Dumalag, and Matina Aplaya. On the other hand, the project implementation of Arrupe’s SLP partnership with the Finance Department will commence on 24th August 2013. Specific details of student deployment are still being finalized. (By M. Isabel S. Actub, Arrupe Communications & Advocacy)